Performance Evaluation of Subsurface Drainage System with Reference to Water Table Response in Aduthurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Water logging and subsequent soil salinity are the two major effects of irrigated   agricultural lands. Low lying areas are susceptible to water logging. Subsurface drainage is an effective control measure for salinity removal and waterlogging. Subsurface drainage pipes were installed in 0.95 hectare area respectively in Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute, Aduthurai. Drain pipes with different spacing of 7.5, 10 and 12.5 m with drain depth of 60 and 80 cm having drain diameter of 63 and 75 mm were installed by using two drain lateral lengths of 15 and 20 m were installed to combat the problem of water logging. Analysis of data collected on discharge from individual pipe drains revealed that the maximum. The maximum 0.4 m reduction of groundwater table during the crop period of the experiment achieved in 7.5 m drain spacing whereas, it was minimum in 10 cm and 12.5 m drain spacing. Spacing of 7.5 m and depth of 80 cm was recommended to achieve better performance in study area to alleviate waterlogged condition.